Virgil van Dijk cited as Tottenham told to complete 'huge' January signing - pundit
Frank McAvennie has urged Tottenham to buy a "big" centre-half in January to replace Eric Dier.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker cited the impact of Virgil Van Dijk's arrival at Liverpool as an incentive to Spurs to add another central defender.
On 10 December, sources told this site that Antonio Conte's side have emerged as frontrunners to sign Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij.
The Lilywhites face competition from Atletico Madrid for the 30-year-old ahead of the January window.
Conte has already spoken to the defender about a potential transfer in the new year when he will have six months left on his contract at the Italian giants.
Dier has just over 18 months left on his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
McAvennie insisted Spurs need an alternative to the England international.
"I can't believe that they think Dier is the best centre-half at the club," he told Football Insider.
"I still think he is a midfield player. I just do not know why they do not go out and buy a centre-half. Go and buy one of the big boys if they want to compete.
"Look at the difference with Van Dijk at Liverpool. It changed over night and that is what could happen at Tottenham. Go out and buy a top centre-half.
"It is no disrespect to Dier. Tottenham are a big club and Dier has a mistake in him.
"So I would think brining in a huge calibre centre-half would be the first thing that would change the club. I think it would be a win-win. I just do not understand why they are not doing that."